OUA football schedule doesn't include interlocking games just yet

Release of the Ontario university football schedule Tuesday spells the end of any hopes of interlocking play between conferences, at least for this year.

While discussion of interlocking games will continue, that’s all it will be this year, discussion.

“I think that’s why the schedule was a little late coming out,” Western Mustangs coach Greg Marshall said. “In other years the discussion was sort of between coaches quietly but this time there was a lot of discussion with people willing to push it. It’s disappointing that it didn’t happen but I do understand that it takes time to address all the issues.”

Marshall said he feels the issue of parity could have been addressed and improved by inserting two interlocking games into the schedule.

“I think it has to happen and it’s going to happen,” Marshall said. “To create that kind of excitement across the country and to put something together to get back on television, that is ultimately the goal. I think we’re close.”

The Mustangs schedule includes a season opener against the Lancers in Windsor on Sunday, Aug. 30. They also play at Laurier, Toronto and McMaster, the final game of the season.

They play York, Queen’s, Carleton and Ottawa at home, with Carleton coming in on Homecoming.

Imagine how good the schedule would be if York and Toronto were replaced by Saskatchewan and Montreal or Laval.

“I think that’s something you could really sell and people would get excited about it,” Marshall said.

Teams in the West were ready to move forward with the interlocking schedule, but getting the OUA to change even the smallest things is difficult. Attempting to get them to make a major move like an interlocking schedule is like trying to move a mountain.

The pressure will mount on those in the OUA who are resisting. It will increase because the interlocking idea is a good one and is needed to give university football in this country at least a chance of garnering more interest and profile.

An interlocking schedule would be accompanied by nationally televised games, games that a private sponsor has already committed to paying for.

How’s that not a good thing?

As for the Mustangs, the schedule maker treated them well.

Their bye comes in the sixth week. Marshall likes his byes as late as possible.

The Mustangs don’t have to travel to Ottawa to play either Carleton or the Gee Gees, nor do they have to play the Queen’s Gaels at Richardson Stadium in Kingston.

“We’ve got the good travel schedule,” Marshall said. “The schedule looks pretty good overall. It’s unfortunate we’re not playing Guelph, two good teams and that would be a competitive game. It’s unfortunate we’re not playing Waterloo. We would like to welcome old Bert.”

“Bert” is former Mustangs assistant coach and recruiter Chris Bertoia, who took over as head coach of the Warriors this winter.

Marshall doesn’t like missing out on playing the top teams in the league and he’s unhappy he won’t be playing the Gryphons. Guelph is going to be strong once again. It’s difficult to control your destiny when you don’t play teams who may directly battle with you in the standings.

The Mustangs close out their schedule by playing McMaster in Hamilton on the last day of the regular season.

“Mac will have some new players in the secondary and at quarterback. You always like to get those guys early in the season,” Marshall said. “But there could be a lot on the line for that. With us not playing Guelph, it could be for a bye.

“But Carleton got better last year and is going to be better this year. Laurier is going to be better and Ottawa got strong last year. I think it’s going to be a more competitive schedule than it’s been in a couple of years.”

When it’s all said and done, though, the schedule is a favourable one for the Mustangs, who are looking to come back from a disappointing 2014.

Imagine what the schedule could have been if the OUA had done the right thing.

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